Over $750K Raised During Annual Thanksgiving Drive

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) and Liberty Bank Foundation, in collaboration with 39 local Rotary Clubs and one Lions Club, raised over $750,000 through its 20th Annual Thanksgiving drive.

“We continue to see individuals and families in our communities struggle every day to put food on the table, making it harder for them to stay healthy and focus on other essential aspects of life,” David Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and President of Liberty Bank Foundation, said. “Once again, working closely with our community partners, we are putting our Be Community Kind brand promise into action to combat food insecurity not only on Thanksgiving but in the months ahead.”

The money fundraised through the 20th Annual Thanksgiving drive will help more families in the Bank’s footprint have a generous Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.

Beginning in 2004, when the Middletown Rotary Club and Liberty Bank teamed up to expand this fundraiser t through Liberty’s entire service area, local Rotary Clubs and Liberty Bank team and their new partners as of last year, CFMC, have raised nearly $7 million.

Each year, the drive also helps stock food on pantry shelves across Connecticut in preparation for winter months.

“At CFMC, we know that partnering is key to getting things done in our communities. We are honored to work with Liberty Bank Foundation and all the Rotarians who participated in this incredible Thanksgiving project,” Cynthia Clegg, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, said. “We feel fortunate to be surrounded by such caring, dedicated, and generous people, and we are humbled to play a small part in helping our friends and neighbors enjoy this wonderful holiday.”

The following Clubs participated in the 2023 Liberty Bank and Rotary Club Thanksgiving Dinner Drive: Ansonia-Seymour-Oxford, Branford, Bristol, Cheshire, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, Derby-Shelton, East Hampton, East Hartford, Essex, Groton, Hamden, Kensington-Berlin, Ledyard, Madison, Meriden, Middletown, Montville, Mystic-Stonington, Naugatuck, New Britain, New London, Newington, Niantic, North Branford, North Haven, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Plainville, Simsbury/Granby, Southington, Wallingford, Waterbury, Waterford, West Hartford, Wethersfield/Rocky Hill, Willimantic and the East Haddam Community Lions Club.

“We are honored to be a recipient of this drive because it helps us to address the most pressing needs of the people who come to us for help,” Beth Boyle, co-director of House of Bread, a beneficiary of Simsbury-Granby Rotary Club, said.